Outlook: The least familiar division opponent for the Blast, Waza Flo started in the PASL in 2008 and emerged as a perennial power the past three years. In 2011-12 and 2012-13, the team won Eastern Division titles and reached the championship series before falling to second place last year with an opening round playoff exit. Much of the team's core returns, led by midfielder and leading scorer Miki Djerisilo. Player-coach Decu is a sound defender and regular producer on offense with Joe Kapinos reliable in goal. When the Blast visits Detroit, the game will be played using the old PASL's 1-point scoring system. In Baltimore, the teams will use the multi-point scoring system from the old MISL.

Outlook: Blast Hall of Fame forward and fan favorite Walker enters his first season as coach for the Heat, which won just four games in the PASL last season and failed to reach the playoffs. The team returns its tops three scorers from last season in Tom Mellor (18 goals, 19 assists), Ken Fultz (21, 5) and Tyler Witmer (13, 7) and adds midfielder Patrick Thompson from the MISL's Pennsylvania Roar. In addition to Walker, the Heat has a strong Baltimore influence on defense with Loyola Blakefield grad Zach Sell and veteran Val Teixeira, who coaches girls soccer at Notre Dame Prep. The new league reunites the Blast with one of its biggest rivals as the teams once played together in the National Professional Soccer League and MISL.

Rochester Lancers

Coach: Doug Miller

Last season: 6-14, fifth in the MISL

Outlook: Miller, a former Loyola University star who completed a lengthy and successful playing career, takes the helm with hopes of making the Lancers a contender. The team, has a lot of ground to cover to catch up with the league's better teams. Forward Mauricio Salles (14 goals, 8 assists for 41 points) and midfielder Gary Boughton (17, 5, 40) return and the additions of former Milwaukee Wave standouts Carlos Munoz and Marco Terminesi and the Missouri Comets' Alex Megson provide a major boost to the offense. In goal, the Lancers returned Marc Sotile and added Brazilian native Marcelo Moreira. Last season in the MISL, the Blast went 4-0 and outscored the Lancers, 70-15.

Syracuse Silver Knights

Coach: Tommy Tanner

Last season: 12-8, fourth in the MISL

Outlook: The Silver Knights boast the division's most potent offense, led by midfielder Kenardo Forbes, who was second in the MISL last season with 24 goals, 14 assists for 67 points. Slavisa Ubiparipovic, Neto and Nelson Santana, one of the league's finest two-way defenders, were among the league's top 20 scorers last season. Goalie Bryan O'Quinn went 11-5 last season and defender Bo Jelovac also returns. The Silver Knights expect to give the Blast the most significant push in the division and the rivalry continues to grow. Last season, the Blast went 3-1 against Syracuse during the regular season and eliminated the Silver Knights in the deciding mini game in the MISL semifinals.